The World’s Most Dangerous Cultural Traditions

Self-Flagellation

Photo Credit: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Every year, the Shi’a sect of Islam perform the mass ritual of self-flagellation on the Day of Ashura during the Holy month of Muharram. They do this to commemorate the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Men come together in masses to whip themselves with blades, cut themselves with razors, and slice themselves with machetes.

Although illegal in many places, it is still done in India, Iraq, Lebanon, the United States, and Australia. Many Shiite leaders have also condemned the bloodletting, yet it doesn’t stop those who are set in their practices. During the ritual, participants say that their religious fervor makes it so they cannot feel the pain.